CIS Abroad - Summer in the British Isles Past Review
By Emily M (Marketing., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University / Virginia Tech) for
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Reviews from Former Locations
I gained friends and a true understanding of what life is like around the world. I gained understanding of culture and a bit of history from the classes and gained many many memories!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academics, especially during the 3 weeks I spent in Edge Hill Uni. was very good and a bit reading intensive. I took classes about English culture and literature. In the Ireland portion the class was a bit odd, it was about Irish history and culture but it was taught by our bus driver. As we drove through all of Ireland he would talk on the intercom about events in Irish history and about some Irish cultures and traditions. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They just did not seem to have their stuff together at the beginning of the trip, rooming and meal passes and such was a bit disorganized. But they were impressively organized during the Ireland portion, setting up room assignments for all the different hostels and hotels we stayed in over the 2 week period. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I really liked that we each got our own room at Edge Hill. It was a big and sudden adjustment from the US to England, so it was nice to have a place of your own to go to when you needed it the first few days. |
| * Food: |
The food at Edge Hill was quite good. I was a vegetarian so sometimes I struggled with the selection but overall it was ok. For the other portions of the trip we chose where we ate which was nice. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Nights in Edge Hill were so much fun and I would give anything to go back there. The other nights while we were traveling in London and Ireland were really fun too. Its a whole new world out there! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
In Dublin, it sometimes seemed a bit scary to be out at night. During our time at Edge Hill one of my friends on the trip broke her leg and the program didn't really do anything to get her to the hospital. One of my other friends and I took her there in a taxi and we had to handle everything ourselves. Lucky for her, we were in England so all of her medical work was free. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | GO! It was really fun...especially the time I spent at Edge Hill. I made some of the greatest friends I have from this trip. The Ireland portion can get frustrating, but the rare times when you do get to get out of the bus are amazing. The views are amazing. Don't be afraid time climb and explore. |
